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< Back Rodney McSwain 2017 is from Caroleen, North Carolina. He attended Chase High School, went on to become one of Clemson University's Top 10 Defensive Line Players of the 1980s and is a former professional American football cornerback in the National Football League. In May of 1984, McSwain was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons following his college career at Clemson University. McSwain, who also anchored Clemson's 1982 conference champion 400-meter relay team, was one of nine defensive players drafted by the Falcons. McSwain was quickly acquired by the New England Patriots where he played seven seasons (1984-1990). He also played two seasons in the Arena Football League with the Detroit Drive, winning Arena Bowl VI in 1992. Cornerbacks, in the early 80's were from that of today's standards. While they were still expected to cover wide receivers, they were also basically linebackers who were lined outside of the eight-man box. Rod McSwain mastered this scenario and was a lock down cornerback. He had the size and power to play linebacker, but speed to play corner. In the 1985 season, the New England Patriots saw their first play-off game ever in the Super Bowl era when McSwain sealed the deal with a pass interception. They were the wild card that would not host a single game on their home field and yet would miraculously achieve the honor of squaring off in Super Bowl XX against the powerhouse Chicago Bears. While they did not win, this was a wonderful experience to be a part of.

< Back Stacy Lail 2017 coached at his alma mater, RS Central. During high school, Lail was all conference in three sports: football, basketball and baseball. After graduating, he attended Isothermal Community College, where he played on the basketball team and graduated in 1971 with and Associates of Arts Degree from which he was selected to participate in the Junior College All Star Game in Ferrum, Virginia. Upon completion of his Associates, Lail went to Appalachian State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Physical Education. Through a series of events, Lail landed the position of the head men's varsity basketball coach for 11 years. He was also head baseball coach for two years and the cross-country coach for ten years. In basketball, they were conference champions for eight years. He was named Coach of the year for seven years and won two state championships and runner-up for one. Under his direction, two men's basketball teams made their way to NCHSAA AAA State Championships (1980 and 1986). In 1980, he led his team in an undefeated season, 32-0. When he retired from coaching in 1988, he held a remarkable record of 253 wins to 54 loses. At the time of his retirement, he was ranked 1st amongst all active coaches and 3rd in all time North Carolina Coaches. In 1980, he was named Spartanburg Herald's Coach of the Year. Also, during his coaching career from 1978-1988, Lail brought the cross-country program to RS Central. His efforts proved effective as they brought home conference championships in 1980 and the years 1982 through 1988. Lail ranked 29th on coach's roster in June 1980 edition of "Basketball Weekly", In 1988, Lail was selected to coach the NC High School East/West All Star game. He received the 1990 Outstanding Alumnus Award at Isothermal Community College, On January 15, 2010, RS Central High School named their gymnasium the Stacy L. Lail, Jr. Gymnasium. Lastly, a documentary film, simply named 32-0, was created and featured at the 2016 Tryon International Film festival which encapsulated Lail's achievement with his 1980 basketball team which achieved a winning season of 32-0. Coach Lail was inducted in Rutherford County Schools Education Hall of Fame in 2015. He also was nominated to both NCHSAA & NC Sports Hall of Fame the same year.

< Back Keenan Carpenter 2023 Keenan Lee Carpenter could score the basketball and he proved it against all levels of competition. After scoring over 1,000 points in his high school career at R-S Central, Carpenter did the same at Anderson (SC) Jr. College before becoming a record-setter at Auburn and in the SEC. Carpenter developed his notoriety as a scorer on the hardwood for R-S Central. He scored over 1,000 points during his Hilltopper career while leading the Southwestern Conference in points as a Junior and a Senior in 1983 and 1984. As a result, Carpenter was named to the All-Conference team after both of those seasons. His career-high in scoring came on January 27, 1984 when Carpenter dropped 41 points against Rutherford County rival East Rutherford. At the conclusion of his Senior season, Carpenter was named to the All-Piedmont team, and he was selected to play in the East/West All-Star game where he led the West with a team-high 18 points. After spending one year away from basketball in 1985, Carpenter enrolled at Anderson Jr. College in 1986. That year, he was voted the Region X MVP and also earned first-team All-Conference honors In 1987. Carpenter had no sophomore slump as he scored a then career-high 43 points vs. Mercer. Carpenter also joined the 1,000-point club during that season on his way to repeating as league MVP and earning NJCAA All-American honors. After finishing his career at Anderson, he moved to the SEC and Auburn University where he played from 1988-89. He set scoring records for the Tigers, too. As a Senior in 1989, Carpenter scored a career-high 44 points vs. LSU including a then-program record eight three-pointers. Those exploits led Carpenter to be named SEC Player of the Week. That was far from Carpenter’s only monster game for the Tigers though, as he scored 30 points or more five times while at Auburn. Carpenter also scored 32 points against Ole Miss in 1989 and 33 points vs. the University of Florida as a Junior in 1988. Putting up those kinds of scoring numbers earned Carpenter many accolades. He was named one of Playboy Magazine’s Top-5 Players in the Nation in 1988. He also led the SEC in three-pointers made as a Senior in 1989, shooting at a 41 percent clip from beyond the arc. During his final season, Carpenter’s scoring average jumped from 4.7 points per game to 19 points per game (7th best in the SEC) and he was named 2nd Team All-SEC by United Press International. Carpenter also shot an impressive 81.7 percent from the foul line for his career. In all, Carpenter scored 667 points (11.2 ppg) during his two seasons at Auburn and was selected to the Tigers’ Centennial Team in 1999. Carpenter still resides in Auburn, Alabama where he owns a life insurance and credit repair company, Keenan Carpenter & Associates.

< Back Jimmy Means 2018 NASCAR Driver/Team Owner, was born in Alabama, but moved to Rutherford County in the early 1980s. Means made his debut in 1976 in Daytona, driving in 455 races and making 17 top-ten finishes. He finished 11' in the Winston Cup in 1982 and 1983, 7" at Talladega in 1983, and 10th at Darlington in 1989. In 1994 he announced his retirement from driving. Although winless, he posted 113,945 career laps and $2 million in earnings. In 1995, Means was team manager for the No.15 Ford Quality Care Thunderbird owned by Bud Moore Engineering out of Spartanburg. Means has continued as an owner to this day, with Jimmy Means Racing competing in the Busch Series - now the NASCAR Xfinity Series. During his long career, Means has had many fans, but one of his biggest fans has always been Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Earnhardt grew up watching Means on the track and hanging out with Means' son, Brad. "He was my favorite driver besides my father," Earnhardt said in an interview with Racin'Today.com in 2009. "It was amazing to me how he did everything with nothing.

< Back Keyon Whiteside 2018 A retired NFL linebacker, Whiteside, graduated from Chase High School in 1998. While attending Chase, Whiteside played football, basketball and ran track. His honors included: being named All Western NC and All Piedmont two times, and All County three times. As a football player, he ran for 1561 yards and made 18 touchdowns under the coaching of Randy Page. Whiteside attended the University of Tennessee in 1998. His football career at UV included: one national championship, several leadership awards and being named to 2nd Team All-Conference SEC. In 2003, he was the first Vol linebacker to register 100 tackles since Keith Delong; Whiteside's total was 119. He also held the bench-press record for linebackers at UT at 505 Ibs. Keyon said his most significant moments as an athlete included being a part of the 1998 BCS National Championship Team at UT. As a member of the team, he recalls the game against the University of Arkansas; the Vols won in 6 overtimes, with Whiteside recording 19 tackles that day. Another life-changing moment took place when he was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts - in the fifth round - in 2003. He played 12 games in his four seasons as a linebacker with the team. For Keyon, the most memorable events with the Colts include opening day against the New England Patriots, and being featured on ESPN's Top Plays for "steam- rolling Patriots' Special Team Captain Harry Izzo. On being inducted in the Rutherford County Sports Hall of Fame, Whiteside says, "I am humbled by this honor. Who would have ever thought that a kid from Rutherford County would graduate from a major university, win the National Championship, and be drafted to play in the NFL? With love, support, and hard work dreams can come true." Whiteside is the Director of Digital Services for Willow Marketing in Indianapolis where he continues to strive for personal excellence. His profile talks of his drive and positive attitude, with a belief that he can teach himself just about anything, including speaking Mandarin well enough to be able to act as an amateur interpreter.

< Back Thomas McBrayer Hicks 2019 Thomas "Tommy" Hicks may have never scored a touchdown, made a basket, or hit a homerun, but he made an undeniable impact on the Rutherford County sports landscape by writing about those who did. Born on January 16, 1954, Hicks was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of nine. Hicks did not let the disability define him, however, as he continued to play Little League baseball. Hicks' love of sports continued throughout the rest of his life. He attended East Rutherford High School where he lettered as the team manager of the 1972 Western State Champion Cavalier men's basketball team. Hicks also served as Class President at East Rutherford in 1972. After graduating from East Rutherford, Hicks attended Saint Andrew College and later earned his Master Degree in Counseling at UNC-Charlotte. Hicks opened a private counseling practice to support himself, along with running the Amazin Shopper and Tommy's Taxi. He used the proceeds from these ventures to donate widely to charities such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Coalition to Cure Calpain 3 Deficiency, as well as other local charities. With all of his philanthropy and businesses, Hicks still found time to indulge his love of sports. He attended many Charlotte Hornet and Duke Blue Devil basketball games, but he also had a passion for Rutherford County sports. Hicks covered them in various publications throughout the county, including the Daily Courier, The Rutherford Weekly, The Rutherford County News and his own Amazin Shopper. He also spearheaded numerous projects, including the selection of The 50 Greatest Men's Basketball Players of Rutherford County. When Hicks passed away on September 26, 2017, a standing-room only crowd filled First Baptist Church of Forest City to pay their final respects. It is clear that Hicks left a lasting legacy on Rutherford County. In 2018, Hicks became the first, and only, person to receive the Citizen of the Year Award from the Forest City Kiwanis Club posthumously. He was also named to the East Rutherford Sports Hall of Fame for a lifetime of service that same year. In addition, Hicks' longtime friend Pat Jobe wrote the book, "Heart on Wheels" which details Hicks' life and the legacy he left behind.

< Back Chris Michael 2023 Rutherford County native Chris Michael not only starred on the hardwood at R-S Central, he also brought home state championship hardware in the Long Jump, as well. After a post-graduate season at Fork Union Military Academy, Michael played basketball at Clemson University for legendary coaches Bill Foster and Cliff Ellis. During his time as a Hilltopper for R-S Central High School from 1978-81, Michael played basketball, ran Cross Country and was a member of the Track & Field team. He was a valuable piece of the historic Hilltoppers’ basketball team that won the 1980 State Championship and posted a perfect 32-0 season. During his senior season of 1981, Michael helped R-S Central to a 27-5 record, falling just short of back-to-back State Titles, losing the Championship game. During his prep basketball career, Michael was a part of three Freedom Christmas Tournament Titles, along with being selected to play in the 1981 NCHSAA East/West All-Star Game. Michael was equally at home on the track for the Hilltoppers, winning the 1980 State Title in the Long Jump. After graduating from R-S, Michael enrolled at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia for a year of post-graduate studies. While there, he led the basketball team to a 23-2 record and set the school record for the Long Jump at 23.3 feet. Michael’s mark still ranks in the Top 5 in school history. Michael enrolled at Clemson in 1982 where he played basketball alongside fellow RCSHOF member Vincent Hamilton. As a freshman, he played in 28 games for the Tigers under Coach Bill Foster, averaging 7.5 points and nearly three rebounds per contest. As a sophomore, Michael’s performance remained consistent, as he also averaged 7.5 points per g ame. In 1984 under Coach Cliff Ellis, Michael had his best season for the Tigers, averaging 8.8 points per game. Even though his performance dipped a bit as a senior, Michael still finished his Clemson career averaging 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Cliff Ellis, who is now the head coach at Coastal Carolina University, shares fond memories of Michael. “He was one of the hardest workers I have ever coached,” Ellis said. “What a joy to coach. He brought it every single day. (I) loved coaching him. What I remember about Chris Michael was one of the first times I had ever coached against Dean Smith, North Carolina came to Clemson. He hit a shot at the end of the game to win it for us. He could shoot the basketball, and he brought it every day. I am so proud of what Chris has been able to do and I know this is quite an honor for him.” After graduating from Clemson, Michael opened a lawn care business before becoming a sub-contractor and working in masonry. He currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.

< Back Billy Ray Vickers 2022 Forest City native Billy Ray Vickers was a force on the football field for the CHASE Trojans on both sides of the ball during his high school playing career from 1972-76. He went on to have a productive four seasons at NC State before an injury cut a promising NFL career short. Vickers, who grew up working on his grandparents' cotton farm, played at CHASE under fellow RCSHOF member Coach John Keeter. In 1974 asa junior, Vickers rushed for 632 yards and two touchdowns, as the Trojans finished at 4-4-1 in the Southwestern Conference. Vickers came into his own during his senior season of 1975. He and teammate Ray Harris formed a fearsome backfield tandem with each crossing the 1,000-yard mark, the first pair of teammates to reach that milestone during the same season in CHASE history. In all, Vickers rushed for 1,241 yards and 19 touchdowns in 1975, helping CHASE to an undefeated regular season and a conference title. In CHASE'S first round playoff win versus Watauga, held at Gardner-Webb's Spangler Stadium, Vickers rushed for four touchdowns in the Trojans' 45-0 victory. He was also the team's leading tackler that day. As a result of his outstanding senior season, Vickers was selected to play in the 1975 Shrine Bowl where he was named Defensive Player of the Game. Vickers was recruited to NC State (where he majored in Animal Science) by legendary coach Lou Holtz and played for Bo Rein. As a sophomore, Vickers rushed for a career-best 726 yards, helping NCSU earn a 24-14 Peach Bowl victory over lowa State. Vickers was featured in a Sports Illustrated preview of that game. As a junior, he scored eight touchdowns, and even though he was hampered by injuries in 1979 as a senior, Vickers averaged 4.6 yards per carry for a Wolfpack team that won the ACC Title. In all, Vickers garnered 2,375 All-Purpose yards and 12 touchdowns during his college career. Vickers was drafted by the Washington Redskins and later signed by the Baltimore Colts, but a knee injury cut his NFL career short. Vickers turned his efforts to other endeavors, mainly the manufacturing industry. Through the years, he has built several successful businesses and now he is the founder, owner and CEO of seven companies. One of those companies is Modular Assembly Innovations (MAI), a $1.2 billion automotive component manufacturing enterprise based in Dublin, Ohio. It employs more than 350 workers in four states and is ranked in the top five on the Black Enterprise List of 100 Top Black-owned companies in the nation as of 2019.

< Back Tim McKeithan 2022 Rutherford County has a long and rich history of professional baseball players and it all started with Emmett James (Tim) McKeithan. He became Rutherford County's first ever baseball player to reach the professional ranks when he made his debut for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1932. McKeithan was born in Shelby, North Carolina in 1906, but played high school baseball for Cool Springs in Forest City. As a senior in 1928, McKeithan was an ace pitcher for the Tornadoes and led them to the 1928 State Title. After graduating from Cool Springs, McKeithan attended Duke University. The Blue Devils won a Southern Conference title in 1929 with a 13-5 record in his freshman season and McKeithan lettered in his final three seasons in Durham. During his career at Duke, McKeithan was part of three "State Championship" teams that played against other college programs in North Carolina. After finishing his college career at Duke, McKeithan has the distinction of being one of the few players to make the jump straight from college to the Major Leagues, joining the American League's Philadelphia Athletics on July 21, 1932. While there, McKeithan played under legendary manager Connie Mack as a right-handed pitcher. He spent portions of two seasons in Philadelphia, compiling a 1-1 record with a 7.36 ERA and three strikeouts in 25.2 innings. In 1934, Babe Ruth hit one of his 714 career home runs off McKeithan. McKeithan also spent some time in the Minor Leagues, making stops in Montreal, Syracuse and Galveston. He secured a career high eight wins while with Montreal in 1933 and a career best 2.00 ERA while pitching in Galveston during his final season of 1935. McKeithan passed away on August 30, 1969 and was buried at the Concord Baptist Church cemetery in Bostic.

< Back Angela Hamilton-Jones 2018 Angela Hamilton-Jones attended R-S Central High School from 1985-1989. While there she was a standout member of the basketball, volleyball and track teams. Hamilton-Jones accumulated many honors during her high school athletic career. She played center on the basketball team and right-hitter on the volleyball team. As a member of the track and field team, she ran the 100-yd. dash, 100 and 200 hurdles, and mile relay. She also did the long-jump, discus and shot-put. She was MVP in Track and Volleyball, and a member of the All Tournament, All Conference, and All Regional teams, named Spartanburg Herald Journal Player of the Week and Charlotte Observer's First Team. Hamilton-Jones attended Johnson C. Smith University from 1985-1989, where she continued her athletic career as a member of the volleyball and basketball teams. She was the first female to receive the ML Edwards Memorial Athletic Award; she received the Cathy Callahan Memorial Award, was named the SWC Player of the Year. She was a member of the NCAA Division 2 All American team, CIA 1987-1989, CIA Tournament 1987-1989, and was named MVP. Hamilton-Jones was inducted into the JSU Hall of Fame and holds the record for the most field goals made at 742. Hamilton-Smith said her most memorable quote from Tim Duncan, who said, "Good better, best, never let it rest until your good is better, and your better is best." JCSU Coach Steve Joyner said, "Good team don't last forever, but good people do." Asked about her most significant sports career moment, Hamilton-Smith said, "During my career, all moments were significant in learning who you are and experiencing the sport." As a team member, Hamilton-Jones said, "I believe the most significant moment..is always to be a team member in each game. It's not all individual; you are always playing together to win."

< Back Justin Todd Coffey 2018 Athlete/baseball player, Coffey graduated from Chase High School in 1998. Upon graduation, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds as a pitcher. He played with the Brewers, Nationals, Mariners, and LA Dodgers of the MLB and the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. He made his major league debut in 2005 pitching against the Chicago Cubs. His first win was against San Diego in 2005. Coffey had a sinking fastball clocked at up to 96 mph and a dropping slider clocked at 82 mph. He made over 461 relief appearances in the MLB, had a win-loss record of 25-18, with 329 strikeouts, and an ERA of 4.10. Coffey was well-known for his enthusiasm when called to pitch. He ran, full speed to get into the game resulting in the Brewers introducing "Coffey Time", timing his sprints to the mound the scoreboard. Coffey last played in the MLB in 2012. He was signed by the LA Dodgers, but underwent surgery for the second time, and his option was not picked up in 2013. He spent time in the minor leagues with the Braves, pitched in the Mexican League and became a free agent in 2016. In 2017, Coffey announced his retirement on Twitter through Jeff Passon of Yahoo. "I have given my heart and soul to this game,' he said. Adding that he thought he may move into coaching, working in the front office, or scouting, Coffey said, ".. look forward to giving back to the game with just as much passion as I played."

< Back Harold Morris "Gomer" Hodge 2018 Baseball player and coach, Hodge was born in Rutherfordton. Now deceased, he had a long career, playing in 80 Major League games with a batting average at .205 and 83 at-bats. Hodge was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cleveland Indians. He played for the Dubuque Packers first; he later played for the Salinas Indians, Pawtucket Indians, Portland Beavers and Savannah Indians, among others. Legend has it that he got his nickname, Gomer, from a teammate on the Burlington Indians team in 1964, due to his resemblance to the actor/singer Jim Nabors who played Gomer Pyle on TV. Hodge played his last game in 1971. He began a new baseball career in 1973 as coach for the Cleveland Indians organization, and later served as manager and coach for Milwaukee, Montreal and the Boston Red Sox before retiring in 1995. His son, Nicholas Hodge talks about the many happy memories of his father's baseball career. When Hodge was playing for the Red Sox, Nicholas remembers going to spring training with him. They ate together, breakfast and lunch, players and coaches, working out and practicing, laughing and working hard. "Dad hit his one and only homerun over The Green Monster' at Fenway Park against Roger Moret..he would always tell me," Nicholas said. He also remembers his father always brought a crockpot with him on the road, providing a meal of black beans and rice, bread and meat for the young players - many from the Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico or Korea. "Dad would be so proud, and I know today, he is looking down upon all of us and smiling," said Nicholas Hodge, Harold Morris 'Gomer' Hodge passed away from Lou Gehrig's Disease in 2007.